Preface
Have you ever wondered how much your words influenced others let alone the world? Your words influence many others as well as the world. Everyone questions their importance in the world and to what extent one changes society. One man that changed the whole history was Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things such as his invention of the lightning rod but this project and wikispace is dedicated to how he is famous also for his writings. But how did Benjamin Franklin use the written word to influence society? This page is dedicated from the very start of his writing career up to his highest point in his life as he wrote his autobiography. There are different sides to the glorious career. The first genre is a complete overview and most general. The second genre goes deeper and more detailed into the life of Benjamin Franklin and how it affected the people closest to him. The last genre gives a more global view and analysis of the impact of Benjamin Franklin's life and writings to the world.
Introduction to Genre #1
The first genre is dedicated for the the lazy people who want the information quickest. This genre is in a basic essay form with most of the story and overview incorporated in it. I think this research paper was the reason why I understood the concept and the magnitude of Benjamin Franklin's works since I did not think gravely about it until I completely finished writing it. The hardest part was linking Benjamin Franklin's works to the great influences he had on society. I think this paper not only answers how much Franklin influenced the others but also makes one reflect upon how much a person's words can influence others.
Genre #1
Mozart, Harry Potter and Benjamin Franklin. What is their principle similarity? All three showed talent when they were young. They could be called young prodigies. Benjamin Franklin’s career as a writer started when he was fifteen. He was apprenticed to his brother who was writing the first newspaper in Boston, The New England Courant. Though his brother did not let him write for the newspaper, Ben wrote anonymously and got his articles into the paper without his brother’s knowledge. But after harassment from his brother, Benjamin Franklin promptly quit and ran away to Philadelphia where he would could make use of his powers(A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin).Benjamin Franklin used his powers of penmanship and writing to change the way people thought and make one of the most influential countries in the present day.
After arriving at Pennsylvania, Franklin set out to seek aid from his family. He returned with his father’s consent but with no financial aid. With no other choice, he became a printer’s apprentice again and set up his own business, the Pennsylvania Gazette when he gained enough money. Then, the major part of his writing career began. His paper becomes more and more sophisticated as he add his own ideas and thoughts. Franklin thought that there should be a statistical approach for trade and demographics so he compiled great amounts of data about the ships that port and leave the colonial cities in America. Also, he started putting exceptional articles and made his steady income while honing his penmanship and skill(Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History -- J.A. Leo Lemay). He wriote under the guise of Richard Saunders and wrote the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack, which not only bestowed knowledge to people but changed the way people thought(Benjamin Franklin.org).
The next step in Franklin’s life was political writing. He had started politics before by writing against the Molasses act. He also wrote works such as On Compassion and Regard for the Sick to help spread knowledge of the smallpox and its spread(Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History -- J.A. Leo Lemay). In England, Ben saw all the corruption and thought that the colonies should make a new nation. He purposefully sent the Hutchinson letters that revealed corruption of the Massachusetts’ governor (BenjaminFranklin.org). He used his skill to help Thomas Jefferson write up the Declaration of Independence and signed the document. After that feat, he won the French over with his writing and became the American ambassador of France. After that he wrote treatise between the two countries as well as for the United States (A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin).
Benjamin Franklin used his writing skills to establish himselfr from an ordinary brother to the greatest writer that influenced a country in the history. He started from a printer’s apprentice to influence the ideas and thoughts of each person who read his works. Due to his age and status, Ben had to write under many different names such as Richard Saunders and Silence Dogood (Name that Ben) to cover up. These radical acts were to make the paper pass through and published to further enhance the knowledge of the common people. He slowly arose to fame and power through writing and finally set a new nation into motion. Benjamin Franklin was the one person who started to make a nation out of scratch with only words. The nation he made became one of the most influential nations.The cause was Benjamin Franklin who led to the United States and ultimately leading to the world we live in today.
For my second genre, I still thought that fighting with my written words to tackle the question was the brightest idea. The most apropriate way would be to be in Franklin's shoes and be him. The most writing he probably did was the letters that he sent out to the various people he met and treasured. This historical and fictional letter is under the cover that it was the recently found 199th letter written by Benjamin Franklin to his dear wife Deborah Franklin. The letter was sent in February 3rd 177 from his house when he was deprived of his governor's power.I think this genre explains to the full extent the influence exerted on the people near him through the mean that Benjamin Franklin would have used back in the time.
Genre #2
Dear Deborah,
I hope you are well. I have been recently been confined to my rooms by order from the council. I hope you are all well since I can't be by your side because I am too busy. I received you letters December with your package of berries which were very sweet. I thank you for them.
As you know I have actively participated against the Tea Act that the British Parliament passed. This is just an outrage to cause the colonial merchants further pain. Though it was my mistake in leaving it so open, my friends have published the Thomas Hutchinson letters and I have been through the Privy Council. I was called a schemer and dishonest. I know that my people of Pennsylvania are having a better time due to my efforts to suppress Britain's tyranny. As soon as I am sent home, I am going to write about the corruption in the Old State and stir up a revolution through what I do best. I have great confidence in my success. The people of Pennsylvania and other colonies are upset about the old rule and with just another provocative writing everyone will revolt. I am concerned for my son, William, who will be against this idea and would side with Britain.
I remember how we first communicated. Through these very letters! Ah..I remember when your letter reached me with news about your marriage with John Rodgers. I do not know if I was more happy or angry when I received the next letter with news of Rodgers fleeing to Barabados. I quickly returned by convincing you and your mother of my financial status with my pen and paper. I was glad that you took William even though he was not your son. He seems to have forgotten the kindness you showed and has become a true Loyalist. The last letter I got from him is over a year ago.
My dear Deborah, I fear that I won’t be able to be with you for a time. If I am to do what I think is right, I won’t have time to spare and most of the time I will be in different countries such as right now. I think I will go to France soon to gain an ally for the colonies. I have been writing with them for a while and seem to favor us since they would have divided Britain in two with one of the parts on their side. Do you see the gravity of the situation? If a new country is created we could have all the power we want to rid our country of the evil rotten ways that have been in power for too long in this world. I even thought of a better way for the government. I believe the government should be for the people and formed by the people since it would prevent corruption of the state. So, even if I do not write do not fear for me since it will only mean I am busy. I will try to write but be healthy until then.I wish I had more loyal sons who could be sent to help you but we do not.
Your loving husband,
Benjamin Franklin
Introduction to Genre #3
I decided that for this genre writing was just too boring. I decided to make use of the technology and incorporate it into my genre. So I decided to make a documentary on Benjamin Franklin highlighting the influence of his writing in a more grand scale instead of the immediate surroundings of the individual. This video documentary will show the impact of Benjamin's life on the globe as a whole and also the ways of thinking in the present time. This video will highlight Benjamin's life from his birth in 1785 to 1788, his death.
"A picture of Benjamin Franklin using a printing press - on the wall of the Cafe Royal, Edinburgh ." EdinPhoto Home Page - The History of Photography in Edinburgh by Peter Stubbs. This site records my research into the history of photography in Edinburgh since 1840; There are now (January 2008) about 14,500 pages and about 10,100 pictures on this site.. 25 Oct. 2009 <http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_my_p_edwk/0_my_photographs_edinburgh_at_work_-_cafe_royal_benjamin_franklin_vc16_edw009.htm>.
Through this project, I think I have become "enlightened" and more careful. I understand now that words and writing have more meaning and power than I thought before. Benjamin Franklin may have been more active and influenced the whole world but it also means that my words could change my immediate surrounding and people making me think twice before I talk or write. I think of the world as a ball of clay instead of a sphere of land and water since it can be molded into different shapes with individuals specially with the individuals' writings. It is imperative for others to learn this lesson as well since we live in a time that writing on the Internet could change many lives around the world compared to the past. I hope this page teaches others to take caution and mean what they say and write. You never know when or how your written word might shape and change the world we live in.
The Power of Words
How did Benjamin Franklin use the written word to influence society?
Table of Contents
Preface
Have you ever wondered how much your words influenced others let alone the world? Your words influence many others as well as the world. Everyone questions their importance in the world and to what extent one changes society. One man that changed the whole history was Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin Franklin is famous for many things such as his invention of the lightning rod but this project and wikispace is dedicated to how he is famous also for his writings. But how did Benjamin Franklin use the written word to influence society? This page is dedicated from the very start of his writing career up to his highest point in his life as he wrote his autobiography. There are different sides to the glorious career. The first genre is a complete overview and most general. The second genre goes deeper and more detailed into the life of Benjamin Franklin and how it affected the people closest to him. The last genre gives a more global view and analysis of the impact of Benjamin Franklin's life and writings to the world.
Introduction to Genre #1
The first genre is dedicated for the the lazy people who want the information quickest. This genre is in a basic essay form with most of the story and overview incorporated in it. I think this research paper was the reason why I understood the concept and the magnitude of Benjamin Franklin's works since I did not think gravely about it until I completely finished writing it. The hardest part was linking Benjamin Franklin's works to the great influences he had on society. I think this paper not only answers how much Franklin influenced the others but also makes one reflect upon how much a person's words can influence others.Genre #1
Mozart, Harry Potter and Benjamin Franklin. What is their principle similarity? All three showed talent when they were young. They could be called young prodigies. Benjamin Franklin’s career as a writer started when he was fifteen. He was apprenticed to his brother who was writing the first newspaper in Boston, The New England Courant. Though his brother did not let him write for the newspaper, Ben wrote anonymously and got his articles into the paper without his brother’s knowledge. But after harassment from his brother, Benjamin Franklin promptly quit and ran away to Philadelphia where he would could make use of his powers(A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin).Benjamin Franklin used his powers of penmanship and writing to change the way people thought and make one of the most influential countries in the present day.
After arriving at Pennsylvania, Franklin set out to seek aid from his family. He returned with his father’s consent but with no financial aid. With no other choice, he became a printer’s apprentice again and set up his own business, the Pennsylvania Gazette when he gained enough money. Then, the major part of his writing career began. His paper becomes more and more sophisticated as he add his own ideas and thoughts. Franklin thought that there should be a statistical approach for trade and demographics so he compiled great amounts of data about the ships that port and leave the colonial cities in America. Also, he started putting exceptional articles and made his steady income while honing his penmanship and skill(Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History -- J.A. Leo Lemay). He wriote under the guise of Richard Saunders and wrote the famous Poor Richard’s Almanack, which not only bestowed knowledge to people but changed the way people thought(Benjamin Franklin.org).
The next step in Franklin’s life was political writing. He had started politics before by writing against the Molasses act. He also wrote works such as On Compassion and Regard for the Sick to help spread knowledge of the smallpox and its spread(Benjamin Franklin: A Documentary History -- J.A. Leo Lemay). In England, Ben saw all the corruption and thought that the colonies should make a new nation. He purposefully sent the Hutchinson letters that revealed corruption of the Massachusetts’ governor (BenjaminFranklin.org). He used his skill to help Thomas Jefferson write up the Declaration of Independence and signed the document. After that feat, he won the French over with his writing and became the American ambassador of France. After that he wrote treatise between the two countries as well as for the United States (A Quick Biography of Benjamin Franklin).
Benjamin Franklin used his writing skills to establish himselfr from an ordinary brother to the greatest writer that influenced a country in the history. He started from a printer’s apprentice to influence the ideas and thoughts of each person who read his works. Due to his age and status, Ben had to write under many different names such as Richard Saunders and Silence Dogood (Name that Ben) to cover up. These radical acts were to make the paper pass through and published to further enhance the knowledge of the common people. He slowly arose to fame and power through writing and finally set a new nation into motion. Benjamin Franklin was the one person who started to make a nation out of scratch with only words. The nation he made became one of the most influential nations.The cause was Benjamin Franklin who led to the United States and ultimately leading to the world we live in today.
Works Cited
Introduction to Genre #2
For my second genre, I still thought that fighting with my written words to tackle the question was the brightest idea. The most apropriate way would be to be in Franklin's shoes and be him. The most writing he probably did was the letters that he sent out to the various people he met and treasured. This historical and fictional letter is under the cover that it was the recently found 199th letter written by Benjamin Franklin to his dear wife Deborah Franklin. The letter was sent in February 3rd 177 from his house when he was deprived of his governor's power.I think this genre explains to the full extent the influence exerted on the people near him through the mean that Benjamin Franklin would have used back in the time.Genre #2
Dear Deborah,I hope you are well. I have been recently been confined to my rooms by order from the council. I hope you are all well since I can't be by your side because I am too busy. I received you letters December with your package of berries which were very sweet. I thank you for them.
As you know I have actively participated against the Tea Act that the British Parliament passed. This is just an outrage to cause the colonial merchants further pain. Though it was my mistake in leaving it so open, my friends have published the Thomas Hutchinson letters and I have been through the Privy Council. I was called a schemer and dishonest. I know that my people of Pennsylvania are having a better time due to my efforts to suppress Britain's tyranny. As soon as I am sent home, I am going to write about the corruption in the Old State and stir up a revolution through what I do best. I have great confidence in my success. The people of Pennsylvania and other colonies are upset about the old rule and with just another provocative writing everyone will revolt. I am concerned for my son, William, who will be against this idea and would side with Britain.
I remember how we first communicated. Through these very letters! Ah..I remember when your letter reached me with news about your marriage with John Rodgers. I do not know if I was more happy or angry when I received the next letter with news of Rodgers fleeing to Barabados. I quickly returned by convincing you and your mother of my financial status with my pen and paper. I was glad that you took William even though he was not your son. He seems to have forgotten the kindness you showed and has become a true Loyalist. The last letter I got from him is over a year ago.
My dear Deborah, I fear that I won’t be able to be with you for a time. If I am to do what I think is right, I won’t have time to spare and most of the time I will be in different countries such as right now. I think I will go to France soon to gain an ally for the colonies. I have been writing with them for a while and seem to favor us since they would have divided Britain in two with one of the parts on their side. Do you see the gravity of the situation? If a new country is created we could have all the power we want to rid our country of the evil rotten ways that have been in power for too long in this world. I even thought of a better way for the government. I believe the government should be for the people and formed by the people since it would prevent corruption of the state. So, even if I do not write do not fear for me since it will only mean I am busy. I will try to write but be healthy until then.I wish I had more loyal sons who could be sent to help you but we do not.
Your loving husband,
Benjamin Franklin
Introduction to Genre #3
I decided that for this genre writing was just too boring. I decided to make use of the technology and incorporate it into my genre. So I decided to make a documentary on Benjamin Franklin highlighting the influence of his writing in a more grand scale instead of the immediate surroundings of the individual. This video documentary will show the impact of Benjamin's life on the globe as a whole and also the ways of thinking in the present time. This video will highlight Benjamin's life from his birth in 1785 to 1788, his death.Genre # 3
Works Cited
Epilogue
Through this project, I think I have become "enlightened" and more careful. I understand now that words and writing have more meaning and power than I thought before. Benjamin Franklin may have been more active and influenced the whole world but it also means that my words could change my immediate surrounding and people making me think twice before I talk or write. I think of the world as a ball of clay instead of a sphere of land and water since it can be molded into different shapes with individuals specially with the individuals' writings. It is imperative for others to learn this lesson as well since we live in a time that writing on the Internet could change many lives around the world compared to the past. I hope this page teaches others to take caution and mean what they say and write. You never know when or how your written word might shape and change the world we live in.